Clothes-line reel



. (N0 Model.)

B. GIORMSBY. GLDTHES LINE REEL.

No.-456,1 57. Patented. July 21', 1891.

m: NORRIS vzrsn: ca. monrumo WASHINGTON, 04 c.

UNITE STATES EDWARD GEORGE oRMsBY,

OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

CLOTH ES-LINE REEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 456,157, dated July 21, 1891.

Serial No. 368,307. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be itknown that I, EDWARD GEORGE ORMS- BY, of St. Paul,in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Clothes-Line Reels; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to improvements in clothes-line-stretching devices, the object being to provideadevicein which a great length of the line may be made available from which to suspend the clothes in a given space, and, further, to provide means whereby the whole length of line may be strained simultaneously and locked against interference by persons unfamiliar with its operation, a further ob: ject being to protect the line and locking devices.frorn the weather when not in use.

The invention consists in certain novel de tails of construction and of certain arrangements to be hereinafter described, and pointed out particularly in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a device constructed in accordance with my present invention. Fig. 2 is a top plan view with a part of the casing for the drum broken away. Fig. 3 is a sectional view showing the lock arrangement for the drum.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

A A indicate a series of posts, preferably four in number, which form the supports for the line and to one of which is secured the casing B, containing the winding-drum O for straining the line and the locking devices, to be hereinafter described.

In the preferred construction of the devices cross-pieces D are secured on oppositely-arranged posts and have notches cut in their upper surfaces for the reception of pulleys d. One of these cross-piecesD is somewhat lower than the other and the line is attached at one end to one of the posts by a hook E or otherwise and passes thence around the pulleys the notch and at the same time retain the from one cross-piece to the other alternately, thereby giving a series of sections or lines upon which the clothes may be suspended. From the last pulley on the cross-pieces the line passes around the tops of the posts, beginning with one of those adjacent the post having the winding-drum thereon, its end being passed over a pulley F in the top of said last mentioned post and connected to the winding-drumin any suitable manner.

The winding-drum O is mounted inaclosed casing and has a squared shaft for the recep tion of a winding-handle or crank-handle O, a ratchet-wheel 0 being provided on the shaft within the casing and a pivoted pawl G on the casing to prevent the backward rotation of the drum when the line is strained. This pawl and ratchet constitute a locking device, and as thus far described it will be seen that the tension of the line cannot be relieved without opening the casing; butin order to throw the pawl out of gear without openingthe casing a key H is provided, which passes through a key-opening h in the casing. The bit or web of the key is of sufficient length to engage and elevate the pawl. \Vhen it is desired to retain the pawl out of engagement so as to permit the line to pay out freely, as may be necessary in stringing the same, it is only necessary first to elevate the pawl until the web of the key lies immediately over the notch or depression 2' in the wall of the casing and then to draw the key outward a short distance, or far enough for the web to enter pawl elevated, as shown in Fig. 3.

With this device when it is desired to take the line in it will be seen that it may be easily and quickly wound on the drum and the key removed, it then being protected from the weather and from being destroyed or stolen, as persons unfamiliar with the operation will be unable to get at the line without destroying the casing.

It is obvious that instead of employingthe cross-pieces before mentioned aseries of posts may be employed, although in the preferred construction the cross-pieces are used because of their cheapness and convenience as compared to a series of posts and are quite as efficient. By notching the crosspieces it will be observed that the strain is brought nearer the center line of the cross-pieces and the tendency to turn on the posts is thereby lessened. It is further obvious that instead of the pulleys on the eross-pieces a series of pins or pegs may be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is 1. In a clothes-line reel, the combination, with the closed casing having the key-hole therein and adapted to be attached to a post or support, a winding-drum, and ratchet-wheel thereon within the casing and having a shaft extending to the outside for the reception of a crank-handle, of a pawl entirely within the casing engaging said ratchet-wheel, and a removable key passing through the key-hole and engaging the pawl to release the same, substantially as described.

2. In a device such as herein described, the

combination, with the closed casing adapted to be attached to a support, a winding-drum within the casing, having a shaft extending to the outside of the casing, and a ratchetwheel within the casing, of a pawl Within the casing and engaging said ratchet-wheel to prevent backward rotation of the drum, and a key for releasing the pawl, one of the walls of said casing having a notch or depression for retaining the key with the pawl in an elevated position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDXVARD GEORGE ORMSBY. lVitnesses:

FR. F. \VIL'DE, Louis Fnnsnu, Jr. 

